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Auburn firefighter's heroism recognized
(by Joan Demirjian - April 02, 2009)
Auburn firefighter's heroism recognized
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
When Auburn firefighter Jamie Lukas arrived on the scene last year where three people were trapped in a fuel tank in Auburn, he climbed in without hesitation to help.
One of the individuals was a best friend, Timothy Haas, 17, who died at the scene. Mr. Lukas pulled Timothy's father, Bruce, out of the tank, possibly saving his life. Mr. Haas' son Paul, 19, also was pulled from the tank and survived.
"He's a hero," Auburn Fire Chief John Phillips said of Mr. Lukas.
That is why the firefighter's name was submitted by friends for the "All-Star Contest" sponsored by "America's Most Wanted," in which people can go online to vote for him to honor what the television show calls "heroes among us." He was selected from thousands to be one of the nominees on the Web site. His friends are urging everyone to take the time to vote for him.
"Jamie was one of the first there from our department," Mr. Phillips said.
The Auburn Fire Department received the call May 30 at Ullman Oil on East Washington Street.
Bainbridge Fire Chief Brian Phan served as incident commander, as Mr. Phillips was out of town.
Bruce Haas, who was cleaning the above-ground tank, became disoriented due to lack of oxygen, and his two sons went in to help him, Mr Phillips said.
Mr. Lukas climbed down the 18-inch hole of the 100,000-gallon tank and helped Mr. Haas out. The other responders then helped by handing down oxygen masks, which Mr. Lukas put on the sons.
The risk of explosion and oxygen deprivation was very high, Mr. Phillips said.
Mr. Lukas was transported to a hospital, as was Paul Haas.
"Jamie didn't give a second thought to his own safety when he went in the tank," Mr. Phillips said. "In my book, he's a hero. He wasted no time in doing what had to be done," he said.
"The hard part was he knew the family and the boys. That makes it difficult and that makes it hard for him. He continues to deal with that loss," Mr. Phillips said.
"He is a very humble individual. When I made arrangements to honor him at the fire department's steak dinner last October, he didn't want the attention. But we did it anyway," he said.
"Jamie is a prime example of people who help family, friends and neighbors," Mr. Phillips said of the fire department. "This reflects what everyone is there for. He sums that up."
Mr. Lukas, who did not want to comment on the incident in which he lost a "good buddy," has been with the Auburn Fire Department for four years. He is also a probationary member of the Bainbridge Fire Department.
Maura Zellner, owner of Sun Deck Tanning in Bainbridge and a friend, spearheaded his nomination to the television show "as our local hero. He was selected from thousands to be one of the nominees to vote for," she said.
"Timmy's girlfriend, Tyler, works for me, and Jamie was there for her and to comfort her," Ms. Zellner said.
"He deserves recognition," she said. "No one could stop him from going in. What he did that day was completely selfless. We're so fortunate to have someone like Jamie among us."
Anyone can vote online, Ms. Zellner said. "We're trying to get him to be a finalist. Voting closes at midnight April 12. "We want him to get the most votes," she said.
Christopher McCabe, of the Auburn Fire Department, was at the rescue scene and wrote the nomination for Mr. Lukas.
"I thought it was a great idea to nominate him. He almost lost his own life," Mr. McCabe said.
Mr. Lukas is not looking for recognition for what he did, but what he did makes him a hero, Mr. McCabe said.
Mr. Phillips also gave credit to all those who assisted in the incident.
"The rescue effort relied on many fine people from area departments who responded to the call. They all did a fantastic job," Mr. Phillips said.
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